In a renewed onslaught against robberies inside commercial vehicles along highways, the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Police Command has arrested four suspects involved in a one-chance robbery and attempted kidnapping, rescuing two victims in the process.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suspects were apprehended following a distress call and swift police response.
One-chance robbery—a form of street crime in which unsuspecting passengers are lured into commercial vehicles operated by criminals—has remained a major security concern in Abuja and other major Nigerian cities.
Victims are often robbed of cash, phones, and valuables, and in some cases, subjected to physical assault or kidnapping.
According to the Command, the incident occurred on October 8, 2025, at about 10:09 p.m., when one Hajara Ali reported at Life Camp Police Station that her sister, Comfort Habila, had called in distress, saying she had been abducted by suspected criminals who demanded one million naira for her release.
Following the report, operatives from the Life Camp Division, using digital and tactical intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspects at Dape Village around 4:30 am on October 9 after a confrontation. The victims, identified as Comfort Habila and Aliyu Adams, were rescued.
Adams, who sustained multiple stab wounds during the encounter, was taken to Gwarinpa General Hospital for treatment.
The statement partly read, “On October 8, 2025, at about 10:09 pm, one Hajara Ali reported at Life Camp Police Station that her sister, Comfort Habila, had called in distress, alleging that she had been abducted by suspected criminals who demanded a ransom of N1,000,000 for her release.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives from Life Camp Division immediately swung into action. Through the deployment of digital and tactical intelligence, on 9th October 2025, at about 4:30 a.m., the suspects were arrested at Dape Village after a near-deadly confrontation with the police.
“The victims, Comfort Habila (f) and Aliyu Adams (m), were rescued. However, Aliyu Adams, who sustained multiple stab wounds inflicted by the suspects, was promptly rushed to Gwarinpa General Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
“The arrested suspects are Solomon Tanko, Samuel Audu, Chigozie Joseph, and Emmanuel Chidiebere.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspects have been involved in a series of one-chance robberies around the Bannex and Kado areas, using a vehicle with tinted windows to deceive unsuspecting passengers. They revealed that they had picked and robbed six victims, both men and women, before their arrest.”
Adeh said items recovered from the suspects include 15 international passports, two daggers, two cutlasses, bloodstained documents, four mobile phones, two hammers, and three biros. He said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel School of Government and Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), denied that his recent comments which tended ti link the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the October 29, 2006, ADC airline crash were not meant to mock the victims of the tragedy.
Bakare was roasted by not a few Nigerians for saying he was under pressure to join the ADC, an opposition coalition-backed party, but not willing to join the party.
He then added in what Nigerians saw as an insensitive, careless manner:
“I am not going to take part in ADC. The last time I knew about ADC was about a plane that crashed. I wish them well, because we need a robust opposition.”
But Pastor Bakare, speaking at a press conference on Sunday, emphasised that his statement, made at the inaugural edition of the Citadel School of Government Dialogue Series on October 4 was simply taken out of context.
He clarified that his reference to the ADC was “purely metaphorical,” meant to describe the unsteadiness within political parties in Nigeria, and nothing more. It was not a reference to the plane crash or its victims, he explained.
He said: “My comments did not, in any way, bring into the spotlight the victims of the October 29, 2006 ADC Airline crash. I pray that all those with lingering pain from that event will find complete healing and comfort.
“When one takes the ‘text’ out of ‘context,’ one becomes a con, noting that he only decided to respond to ensure accuracy and fairness.
“Let this undue controversy surrounding the ADC crash metaphor serve as a warning. Those in the cockpit of our nation’s governance, and those trying to change course midair, must learn from history and use power as a platform for service rather than self.”
The crash of the ADC aircraft, Flight 053, en route Sokoto from the Abuja airport, killed 96 people, including the then Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido who came to Abuja for an Education Summit organised by the Federal Government.
Pastor Bakare was late President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in 2011 under the CPC. They failed.
In 2023, he was a Presidential Aspirant under the APC, having, before the Primary, said God had told him he would be Buhari’s successor. He was, however, not able to garner upto 10 votes from delegates.
The All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ondo State has responded to criticism from the Coalition of All Civil Society Organisations in the State (CACSOD) over recent defections to the party.
APC insists that the defection of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Legislators in the State House of Assembly, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), is a testimony to the good works of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
CACSOD had noted that with all 26 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly now belonging to the APC, the legislature has effectively become “a one-party chamber” incapable of providing the necessary checks and balances in governance.
A statement on Sunday by the APC Director, Media & Publicity, Steve Otaloro described the coalition assertion as misguided.
The statement maintained that “The decision of our new members to join the APC is a testament to the party’s commitment to delivering results and transforming lives.
“It is a validation of the pragmatic governance and pro-people policies of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These leaders have demonstrated a clear commitment to the development of Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“We reject the notion that political movement is a betrayal of democratic values. In a competitive polity, elected representatives retain the right to choose the platform that best enables them to serve their constituents.
“To suggest otherwise is to stifle democracy and undermine the will of the people. Also, we take umbrage with CACSOD’s assertion that the absence of opposition equates to the death of democracy.
“This is a myopic view that fails to recognize that democracy thrives on performance, accountability, and the consent of the governed.
“If political actors and parties fail to offer credible leadership, coherent programmes, or measurable results, they forfeit the confidence of their members and supporters.
“We welcome our new members the House Minority Leader, Hon. Olajide Oguntodu, Akure South 1, and Hon. Oluwatoyin Daodu, from Akoko South West 1 and pledge to treat them with dignity and equity.
“They will be mentored, supported, and given the platform to aspire to any position for which they are suitably qualified. Our doors are open to talent, integrity, and dedication.
“We urge civil society and all well-meaning citizens to judge political developments by their substance and outcomes rather than alarmist rhetoric. The people of Ondo State deserve governance that works – practical, accountable, and results-oriented. The APC remains committed to providing exactly that.”
Following the mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in some States to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who is, also, Chairman, PDP Governors Forum has expressed worry.
“I am worried”, he said, and added that the PDP as a Party is not finding things easy politically with these defections.
The Governor spoke at the inauguration of the PDP Convention Communication Sub-committee in Abuja on Saturday.
He stressed that the PDP Governors were working quietly to keep the Party united ahead of the 2027 elections.
He further added that the association of leaders like former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, with the PDP reflects on Nigerians’ continued interest in the Party.
Recall that several PDP leaders have defected to the ruling APC, among them: Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori both of whom defected with whole PDP structure in their States. The party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, who is the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa also defected.
Speculations are rife that the PDP Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu is expected to join the APC on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 with the whole Party structure just as it is believed that Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, is next in line to dump the PDP for the APC.
As the PDP prepares for its National Elective Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, scheduled for November 15–16,
Governor Mohammed stated:
“If you ask me whether I am concerned about our Governors leaving for APC, I am more than concerned. But leadership is a burden. As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.
“This defection would have been more devastating at the onset, but we have been talking and discussing. You know the style of leadership of the APC-led Federal Government in trying to make this country a one-party state.
“They have the power of coercion; they have the power of everything.
“I cannot say that my colleagues are wrong; they are free to do whatever they choose. But I have been advising them that even those who left are not finding it easy because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections.
“Sometimes, it is done because of permutations and calculations. I will not denigrate or speak negatively about my colleagues, but I assure you I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has no element of division.
“Even today, I saw in the news that one of my Senators is going. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP, and the issue is PDP because Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP. Most of the measurable achievements by the Federal Government were done by PDP regimes.”
Mohammed, however, admonish those planning to leave the party to do so peacefully without tarnishing its image, noting that their exit would open doors for capable Nigerians to join the Party.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has explained that the cost of Lagos- Calabar coastal highway has been carefully computed in line with global engineering standards” and should not be reduced to “political sound bites.
The Minister was reacting to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, following the governor’s public comments questioning the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Umahi insisted that the governor “misunderstood the technical details of road construction and cost evaluation.”
Speaking on Saturday during an inspection of the Keffi Bridge and the Nasarawa–Toto Road projects, alongside Governor Abdullahi Sule, Umahi asserted that the cost of the highway, a signature project of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, had been “carefully computed in line with global engineering standards” and should not be reduced to “political soundbites.
Governor Makinde, in a viral video on Friday, had questioned the minister’s estimated figures, stating that there was no need for the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to be “dancing around the cost” of the project.
Makinde stated that ““These are elementary questions. And it makes no sense (sic). A process is ongoing, payment has been made, and you are saying, ‘How has this money been utilised?. The money is meant for the project, and it will be paid according to the work done.”
Responding to the criticism, the former Ebonyi governor described Makinde as “a brother and friend” but called his public accusation improper.
Umahi said:“I heard that my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, said something about the cost per kilometre. I don’t want to join issues with him.
“I think he is an engineer, while I am an electrical engineer, they call us ‘elect-elect’. But this road construction matter, ‘elect-elect no reach there.
“I am his senior both in governance and in engineering practice. So, anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. I have great respect for him as my friend and brother, but he should withdraw the statement that I’m dancing around. I never danced around. If he insists, he should come for a debate, which is very important.
“No ambiguity in determining the cost per kilometre,” stressing that it must be understood in both estimated and average terms.
“There is no ambiguity in cost per kilometre. I am teaching them that cost per kilometre can be divided into estimated cost, which has elements of variance, and average cost, which is definitive. The average cost of a definitive project and the estimated cost are probable elements.”
Umahi explained that the estimated cost includes allowances for contingencies and variation of price (VOP), which may not be fully utilized.
He added that “When the project is completed, and you remove what you didn’t use, such as contingencies and VOP, then you have your actual cost.”
The Minister also expressed amusement that critics, upon asking Artificial Intelligence for an explanation, received a response that aligned with his own.
“When somebody who is dangling without knowledge goes to ask AI what the difference is between cost per kilometre and average cost, I’m happy that AI told him exactly what I said.”
Finally, Umahi cited the National Universities Commission’s clarification on expertise, noting that “practical experience in the field also counts as expertise.
“I’m happy that the NUC programme on who is a professor also made me right. You can become a professor by the reason of your practice. And I think God has made me one when it comes to practical, field engineering programmes, that’s what it is; you can’t take it back.”
But for their disobedience, Mahmud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi, could have been home and dry with billions of Naira to boot. They could have been sleeping, tucked under beautiful bedsheets in their bedrooms instead of cooling their feet at the Ikoyi, Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They had beaten every security at the Local Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, and were at the foot of the Aircraft, Aero Contractors, to board. But a simple, unnecessary, disobedience put them into trouble.
While trying to board, the ground staff of the Airline noticed they were carrying two large, heavy, bags, and asked that they check-in the bags for them as they were not likely to fit into the overhead compartment of the cabin.
Nothing odd. Usually, when a passenger is carrying a big hand luggage, it’s taken from the passenger at the foot of the aircraft, tagged and checked in.
But the two men refused to allow the luggage checked-in for them. Asked why, since there is no space for the luggages in the cabin, on their own, they disclosed they were carrying cash to the tune of six million-plus US Dollars and £53, 415. Taken aback by the large sum, they were asked if they declared it. They said they did not. In Nigeria, one is not allowed to carry more than $10,000 when travelling, unless declared to the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.
The story they told the multiple security units inside the airport before arriving at the tarmac is not public yet. It was officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, that, then, arrested them and handed them over to operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, who in turn, handed them over to the EFCC.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, was quoted to have said: “I can confirm to you that the suspects, two of them, were intercepted today and upon their arrest by the operatives of FAAN, they were handed over to us.”
Ado Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors explained the circumstances which led to their arrest. He said “What happened was that our Security noticed some passengers trying to board our aircraft with bags that were quite heavy. Our Security team advised them to check the bags in as they could not be carried into the cabin.
“They refused to check the bags, and later, they said it was money. When asked if the money had been declared, they said no.
“At that point, our Security discovered that the individuals were either Police Officers or some form of Security Agents who claimed they were escorting a suspect along with exhibits. That was why they resisted checking the bags.
“We then informed them that if they were transporting a suspect, they were required to notify us in advance. There are standard procedures for moving suspects. We don’t mix them with regular passengers. There are boarding, deboarding, and in-flight protocols that must be allowed in such cases. Since they failed to follow these procedures, they were not allowed to board.”
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has scolded Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for making an inappropriate reference while mocking the Party, to the 2006 ADC Aircraft crash in Abuja, which killed 96 people including the then incumbent Sultan of Sokoto.
The fatal crash happened on October 29, 2006 minutes after the aircraft took off from Abuja Airport en route Sokoto Airport. The Sultan was on his way back to Sokoto after attending an official event in Abuja organised by the Federal Government.
At the Senate Plenary, Akpabio, known for his penchant for cracking, atimes, provocative or dry jokes, took a dig at the African Democratic Congress, ADC, thus, laughing: ” I am in total sympathy with what’s going on. The PDP is on the ground. Their umbrella is torn. The Labour Party is scattered. ADC crashed even before it took off.”
But in a swift response, wreaking of outrage, the ADC Spokesperson, Bola Abdullahi, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, accused Akpabio, in a post on X, of making a joke of a National tragedy.
He wrote: “On October 29, 2006, ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed in Abuja; killing 96 people, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Maccido, who had come to the Capital to attend an education summit organised by the Federal Government.
“Now, it is the same National tragedy that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has turned into a joke and material for mockery. Who are these people?”
A few days ago, while disclosing that he has been under intense pressure to join the ADC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, an APC Presidential aspirant in 2023, and late President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 Presidential race under the CPC, had said: I don’t know of any ADC. The only ADC I know is the plane that crashed.”
Not a few people termed Bakare’s remarks insensitive.
A Nigerian soldier, identified as Lancer Corporal Femi Akinyele, has, reportedly, shot his wife to death. Either to avoid the ordeal of being arrested to face the ultimate punishment, or in a moment of remorse, he also killed himself.
This unsettling incident comes, again, to the Nigerian Army, a few days after the wife of an Army Lieutenant (Dr) Solomon Haruna was allegedly set ablaze by his wife, Retyit Obadiah Harun at their Akwa Ibom Barracks residence. He died a painful death.
The young Lieutenant was a Medical Doctor, while his wife was a Nurse.
A report by SaharaReporters, an Online Publication, said that the soldier, at about 11.30am, at their Block 5, Room 24, at Wawa Military Cantonment, New Bussa, Kainji, Niger State, shot his wife, Blessing, to death and thereafter, killed himself. His posting was to the 22 Armoured Brigade but he was on duty at the Barracks.
At the time of this report, the reason behind the double tragedy has not been disclosed. Investigations are ongoing.
Death row convict, Maryam Sanda, has been granted Presidential pardon by President Bola Tinubu.
The young mother of two, who shocked Nigerians by killing her equally young husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of a former Minister, was among the scores granted clemency by President Tinubu during the Council of State’s meeting on October 9, 2025, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Deservedly sentenced to death in 2020 after the heinous crime, she served only six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre before mother-luck came her way.
Explaining in a statement on Saturday, October 11, 2025, why Sanda was granted pardon, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy said: “Her family pleaded for her release, arguing that it was in the best interest of her two children. The plea was, also, anchored on her good conduct in jail, her remorse, and her
embracement of a new lifestyle, demonstrating her commitment to being a model prisoner.”
Maryam Sanda was convicted to death by hanging on January 27, 2020, by the Honourable Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal High Court Abuja for fatally stabbing her husband to death at their Abuja home.
Said Justice Halilu while convicting her: “She should reap what she has sown for it has been said that ‘thou shall not kill. And whoever kills in cold blood deserves death as his own reward.
But Sanda appealed her conviction on 20 grounds alleging, among other things, bias.
However, on December 3, 2020, the Court of Appeal threw out her appeal and sustained the judgment of the lower Court. Since then, she has been on death row at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Mr. President set her free based on the recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee which has as Chairman, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
There has been no reaction, yet, from her murdered husband’s family.
Governor Hope Uzodimma has said that his administration is laying durable, practical, and forward- looking foundation in Imo State with the Skill-Up Imo Programme.
He spoke Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, Owerri during the graduation of another 10,000 Imo young men and women who recently completed their digital training under the Cohort 3 of the Skill-Up Imo Project.
40,000 had earlier been trained in Cohorts 1 and 2 in the fields like software engineering, AI, cyber security, digital marketing among others, with many of them either gainfully employed in the digital technology outside Imo State or self-employed.
During the graduation ceremony, the Governor equally unveiled a digital device known as MyImoApp. The App will enable citizens to engage with government seamlessly for services like land record verification, documentation, tax payments, emergency reporting and business promotion from anywhere around the world.
Addressing the 10,000 graduates, the Governor congratulated them and expressed happiness over his administration’s earlier resolve to focus on digital skill acquisition, youth empowerment as well as placing Imo State at the forefront of the 21st Century digital economy.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State (middle) assisted by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi ( left) hands over a laptop kit to Mr.Modestus Okafor, one of the 10,000 graduates of the Cohort 3 Skill-Up Imo Programme during their graduation at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre Owerri… Saturday, October 11, 2025.
He said his administration remains committed in supporting young men and women’s growth through access, mentorship, finance and infrastructure.
“We are not casually training people; we are laying practical, durable, and forward-facing foundations,” the Governor said.
He added, “We are building our the Imo Digital City, which will host Nigeria’s first state-level Artificial Intelligence Institute, a Robotics and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub, Innovation Labs, Digital Learning Centres, and a Digital Entrepreneurship Centre which is designed to serve real needs and unlock real value.”
To the new graduates, the Governor said: “What you need, and what we are building are platforms, the tools, and the policies to ensure your skills find full expression. Your success is not a side benefit of our digital policy, it is the point of it.
“I urge you to use what you have learnt, not only to create work for yourselves, but to become creators of work for others. Be solution-minded. Build with purpose. Think of your local government area, your community, and your State and ask; how can technology make things better?”
He thanked his partners – the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA, Microsoft, Zinox Computers, Cisco, UNDP, US-MAC, and the University of California, Berkeley, for believing in what Imo is building up and for helping to deliver the programmes.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda commended the Governor for the milestone, insisting that he is taking the right direction.
Prof Yilwatda emphasised that Governor Uzodimma is not just transforming Imo State, Nigeria, Africa and global economy today, but transforming the future economy by impacting digital skills to future youths which is crucial to the economy of the nation.
While disclosing that Imo has the highest number in the training of youths in digital skills in the entire nation, the APC National Chairman urged the graduates not to disappoint the Governor’s expectations.
“Be good representatives of Imo and Nigeria and make good use of the opportunity and leverage on the digital skills learnt as an enabler for Imo, Nigeria, Africa and the world,” he advised.
In his goodwill Message, the Minister for Industry ( State), Senator John Owan Enoh congratulated the Governor for coming up with the important initiative, stressing that the programme is not just huge, but “a testament to the foresighted leadership of Governor Uzodimma, which aligns with Nigeria’s development goals, digitization, and Industrial growth of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Sen. Enoch pointed out that the Imo digital Skill-Up training is in line with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) initiative of the President’s 8-point Agenda, which supports point 7 on acceleration of Nigeria through industry, manufacturing and digitization.
He described Governor Uzodimma as
a committed, sincere leader, who has contributed to the success of the programme, and admonished the trained graduates to use the skill they have acquired to promote Imo.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of Finance (State), Dr. Doris Anite-Uzoka expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Governor for achieving this milestone, stressing that it is not just a “programme but a powerful one.”
She further commended the Governor for his commitment in supporting youth empowerment initiatives, saying it aligns with the economic growth and youth empowerment programme of President Tinubu through digital skills.
Minister for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr. Mrs. Olodo, applauded the Governor and Imo people on the remarkable achievement.
He stated that the Ministry was pleased with the Governor’s foresight in the Skill-Up Imo Project, emphasising that he has created future for the country with it.
He reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment and unwavering support to every State of the Federation on digital skills.
Some of the representatives of development partners like UNDP, US Market Access Center ( USMAC), University of California Berkeley in attendance also had kind words for the Governor and the programme, and had expressed satisfaction partnering with him for the benefit of the society.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi expressed appreciation to the Governor for providing all the necessary support to ensure the graduation of the Cohort 3 Skill-Up Imo after intensive training.
He noted that the Cohort 3 Skill-Up Imo graduates were trained in different fields like; graphics design, digital modeling, printing, cyber security, CCTV maintenance and many more, which he said will give them the opportunity to compete globally.
He used the opportunity to thank the partners such as Zinox Computers, and Microsoft, assuring that with what is happening in Imo with the programme it will surely emerge as Africa’s Digital Skills Hub.
Amadi charged the graduates to make good use of the knowledge acquired for their own good and for the growth of the State, and announced the immediate commencement of the Cohort -4 training for interested students.
He also urged Imo youths to continue to partake in critical thinking so that the future world critical thinkers will emerge from Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.
Highpoints of the ceremony was the presentation of Start-up Kits to some graduates by the Governor assisted by the Ministers.
